Potassium Chloride

Potassium chloride is a naturally occurring salt. While it does not have as strong a bite of sodium chloride, it is sometimes used as a salt substitute for individuals who must limit the sodium in their diet. It is also an ingredient in many popular soft drinks and is even found in certain brands of bottled water.

Soft drinks are the most popular beverages worldwide. However, there is a concern about potential health risks of consuming soft drinks. The potassium level can be a concern for individuals with certain health problems. If avoiding this chemical is important, the consumer should read the nutrition and ingredient label to see if the soft drink they are purchasing contains potassium chloride.

Some potassium is vital for normal function of the human body. The ions provided by potassium can lower the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. Fruits and vegetables, including oranges, potatoes, avocados, bananas, broccoli, tomatoes and apricots can provide the body with the needed potassium. These foods can be beneficial to individuals whose diets are low in potassium. However, in certain cases, too much potassium leads to health problems.

Individuals who suffer kidney disease or who are on dialysis need to avoid potassium as excess must be removed from the bloodstream by the kidneys. In addition, certain prescription medications can react unfavorably with potassium, so be sure to read the information supplied with prescriptions.

Unless an individual is taking certain medications or suffers from kidney disease, the potassium chloride in soft drinks, when consumed in moderation, is not likely to cause health problems. If a person needs to increase potassium intake, choosing foods high in the salt is probably a better solution than depending on soft drinks for the mineral. In most cases, it would take a lot of soda to reach the recommended daily limits of potassium.